Italian city BANS evening walks – and will fine tourists £860 if caught

A CITY in Italy has banned walking around in the evening - with fines up to €1,000 (£860) if caught breaking the new rules.

Florence has introduced the ban in a bid to tackle overcrowding during the pandemic.

The Mayor of Florence Dario Nardella confirmed that walking in the streets between 9pm and 6am is banned on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings until further notice, according to .

The ban is in place in some of the tourist areas, including the street of Santo Spirito, popular with clubbers and diners, as well as Piazza Strozzi, Santa Croce and Piazza S.S. Annunziata, due to their popularity during the evenings.

The only exception is for people who are using the bars and restaurants in the area

The fines will range from €400 and €1,000 for anyone who breaks the rules.

Local Veronica Grechi slammed the rules which would only allow tourists to visit the area if they have a receipt from a bar.

She said: "It's fine to say you can't bring a beer along and chuck it on the ground, but limiting access -- no, it's not right."

A new tax is also being suggested, dubbed the "sandwich tax," on any fast food stalls which don't offer seated areas.

This is to prevent litter and food waste being thrown on the streets, which the city pays to clean up.

Brits currently wanting to travel to Italy will have to quarantine for five days on arrival - which has been met with disappointment from football fans, who hoped to watch the next England match in Rome tomorrow.

Italy is also on the amber list, so Brits have to quarantine for 10 days when returning to the UK.

Italy has enforced a number of fines on tourists in recent years.

One tourist was fined €250 (£225) for sunbathing in her bikini while in Venice, while two men were fined €250 (£225) each for walking their bikes through Venice without a t-shirt on.

Tourists who have picnics in Florence will be fined between €150-€500 (£135-£450), while tourists in Rome could also be fined up to €240 (£211) for eating near the fountains.